Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Trouble (Again)

(original image from scarymommy.com - I added the text)

I'm still feeling pretty good emotionally as I move forward after my bout with depression back in the fall. I've had a few stressful moments and one day where I felt unreasonably angry about little things, but in general I'm feeling happy again.

As I read my devotions from "Jesus Calling" this morning, I realized that I probably am a bit unrealistic when it comes to happiness. I'm most happy when life is problem-free, but the devotional reminded me that "the absence of problems in your life....is an unrealistic goal since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven."

What a thought! An eternity of problem-free living sounds really good to me. I get irritated with lots of little problems that come up as I go through each week, and if a big problem comes up it can really throw me for a loop. The devotional went on to urge: "Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle."

Hmm, "lighthearted." Can we really see trouble like that? If we really believe that we can handle it together with Jesus I suppose we can take things a bit more lightly. The Proverbs 31 woman "can laugh at the days to come" (Proverbs 31:25b NIV) and so can we.

Toilet's backed up? Ha ha, we've got this, Jesus! (But please don't let it overflow!)

No money to pay the bills? Okay, Jesus, how are we going to get through this challenge?

A child is rebelling in some way? I'm going to keep smiling, Jesus, because I know you love me and my child. I can't wait to see what you do in their life!

We don't just laugh and ignore all of our problems, but we can seek a better attitude in the midst of whatever happens, knowing that Jesus is on our side.

How do you deal with problems? Do you take a "lighthearted" view of them? How can focusing on Jesus help you to handle them better?

Focus Friday: Let's Focus on Trouble

I've been reminded this week that we never know exactly how life is going to go. We can be going happily along, busy with everything we have going on in our lives and things can change just like that.

Gary's sister Cheryl found that out the hard way last Saturday night. She was on her way home from helping her sister-in-law with funeral preparations for her husband and she got into a serious car accident. Stopping at a blinking red light, she didn't realize that the cross traffic didn't have to stop and she pulled out in front of a pickup. He tried to swerve but hit her mostly on the drivers side door and they both ended up side by side in a field. Cheryl is in intensive care and has many broken bones and lots of swelling. She has had a breathing tube in for most of the week and they don't want to take it out until more of the swelling goes down. She's in rough shape but we're all very hopeful that she will be able to recover completely, even though it may take some time.

Cheryl and LeRoy and their family have seen quite a bit of trouble in their lives. It's inspiring to see how they stick together and support each other through the good and the bad times. We'll keep praying for all of them as they make it through another very difficult time.

Two ladies from our church may be nearing the end of their lives very soon. We are all praying for them and their families as they go through this time of trouble.

I don't really have very profound thoughts this week. I just want to remind all of us that trouble does come. It shouldn't surprise us and it shouldn't discourage us completely. The Bible tells us it will happen:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

Jesus said those words, and hopefully they can help us when times of trouble come. No matter what the situation, we can have peace and take heart because ultimately Jesus has overcome the world and its trouble.

Please pray for my sister-in-law Cheryl as she continues to recover. Pray for Helen and Darlene, the dear ladies who may be nearing the end of their days here on this earth. Pray for everyone who may be dealing with trouble right now. Do not dread trouble, but be ready to "take heart" when trouble comes. No matter what happens, Jesus will help us get through it.

Do you know someone who has trouble right now? Do you lose heart when trouble comes to you? Can you see how focusing on God can help you get through times of trouble?